Sunset Frog Walk, Quite an Adventure [Trigger Warning -- Snakes]

It seems quite the trick 

to tell the friendly snakes 

from the other ones.

"Ah," Oak says. 

"They're all friendly snakes 

until they bite you."

~ Holly Black, The Prisoner's Throne

Blanchard's Cricket Frog (I thought I should wait and add the snakes further on)

Well, yes. The snakes will bite you!* But I've jumped ahead in my tale.

I have been immersed in herpetology lately in support of a friend's project as well as having been tapped to help with some young naturalists. I'm not sure my scheduling was entirely sensible, but I so love these moments in the wild. Sharing these somewhat unusual opportunities feeds my spirit - when they don't completely terrify me.** 

Most of the watches and scouting trips*** have been straight-forward, and somewhat calm -  with loads of calls and appearances. And the monitoring itself is simple: you catch the frog and/or photograph the frog, release the frog. It is also important to record any calls. Report the observations and you are done. 

<Sigh> 

Of course, it is impossible to plan "what" will show up as well as "how" folks will respond. 

My friend's**** classes were well attended and I shouldn't have been surprised when 30 people (including 3 youngsters) showed up for the official "Sunset Frog Walk."  Within 20 minutes or so the group had spread out around the dam and ponds snagging water snakes***** (only 1 snake bite), catching frogs and toads, and locating a few other creatures. 

Here are some photos of the event. No people will be identified. All herps will be identified and CI indicated.****** 

And please know that catching water snakes is not required. It is sufficient (and preferable as far as I am concerned) to take a photo to record the observation.

Gulf Coast Toad, sheltering in a dry limestone wall. At the dam the GCTs were calling at a CI=2

Green Treefrog, calling at the dam CI=3

It was a night for Gulf Coast Toads. We observed many including these 3, found at the dry limestone wall.

Snapping a photo of the first GCT pictured here (second photo).

This Gulf Coast Toad looked like it had been attacked by a something as it had two injuries on its back. It was found right at the dam.

Diamondback Water Snake 

Some members of the group checking for amphibians

Headlamps are almost essential - keeping hands free.

One of the younger participants checks a Narrow-mouthed Toad.

You hold the Plain-bellied Water Snake and I'll take the photo.

We would say "crawdaddy," but I suspect it is a Red Swamp Crawfish.

Pond Slider. It was quite small, perhaps 4 inches in diameter.

NOTES: 

* Most snakes you encounter will be non-venomous, but they can still give you quite a bite (and those bites can get infected). Most snakebites from venomous and non-venomous snakes occur because someone is "messing" with the snake. Just leave them alone. Please. 

** Perhaps "terrified" is too strong a term - I exercise caution. And the opportunity to be out in the wild and share it with others is amazing. It's always been part of my life and can be a near religious experience.  Still, I have always been a bit afraid of the dark. I don't enjoy walking through high grass and weeds (because of snakes - seems like the theme here), and I am always concerned that, no matter how carefully an event is planned, someone can get hurt. [It's my rearing, scout training, mom training, and education. We will leave it at that.] So be prepared. I bring extra gear and have pockets full of first aid items, make sure to gas up the car and bring extra water. If you prepare, cross your fingers and things will be okay...most of the time.

*** While it doesn't relate completely to this post, I'm including a timeline as I may want to look back and do a few things differently in the future - like not over-book myself. Had it just been the AW activities, it would have been fine - not so chaotic - but not noted on the timeline are a few trips out of town (silly me) as well as a number of violent storms (about one a week - hence the multiple scouting trips). Pacing matters. I'm working on that. 

Schedule: 

Friend's classes, 4-24 & 25 (I went to the first for fear of missing them completely)

Amphibian Watch, 4-27, LCD

My class - 5-2 followed by a park check, BSP

Sunset Frog Walk, 5-4, LCD 

Park Check, 5-7, BSP

Park Check, 5-15, BSP

Field Trip - 5-17, BSP https://walkswithfriendsanddogs.blogspot.com/2024/05/frogs-and-toads-and-fun-junior-master.html

Amphibian Watch - 5-18 BSP

****DH and I met our "frogging friend" who introduced us to amphibian watches eight or so years ago. We knew immediately that we wanted to continue. A "real" scientist, our friend is a good program leader. She is professional, organized, knowledgeable, calm, and kind. She's seen me through the pandemic and other challenges. I always learn something new (like "amplexus" the scientific term for frogs mating, that I should be using in my classes). Everyone needs such friends.

*****I mentioned to some folks later that there was much "snake handling" - not of the religious sort - but that I was praying none-the-less.

****** CI is the "call index" for the frogs and toads. CI=0 means no call, CI=1 means individual calls and no overlapping, CI=2 indicates overlapping calls, CI=3 is a full chorus.

They are pretty beautiful....